News

Three Arrested In Motel Room With Drugs, Four Children

Four children were taken into protective custody by Department of Human Services on Monday from a Hermiston motel during a drug-related search warrant.

Hermiston police arrested two men and one woman who were with the minors at the motel.

Tarra K. Johnson, 24, Adam G. Saad, 21, and Rodney B. Virgil, 51, all of Hermiston, were each charged with frequenting a place where controlled substances are used, endangering the welfare of a minor, and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school. Virgil was also charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

The trio was processed at Hermiston Safety Center and lodged on charges at Umatilla County Jail.

Officers started to look for Johnson at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday at Sunset Motel, 425 North First St. On entering her motel room with a search warrant, officers reported a “very strong” odor of marijuana coming from the room which contained four children, ranging from newborn to six years old.

Hermiston police worked with the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office to obtain a search warrant granted by a Hermiston Circuit Court judge.

“… This is yet another example of poor decision making where children are negatively impacted,” said Jason Edmiston, chief of police. “I would like to thank the Department of Human Services for continuing to be a resource for law enforcement.”